The Eco Driving Tool

For us, sustainability means acting in a way that benefits the future of the neighbourhoods we operate in, the planet that carries us all, while at the same time sustaining the long term future of our company. One of the way we reckon we can do this is to commit to sustainability and help raise the awareness about how all New Zealanders can save fuel through driving more efficiently... which we understand, does surprise some people!

Ever considered actually how fuel efficient your driving is? Or wondered about ways that you could be saving fuel... easily? Why not hop in to our Eco Driving Tool, buckle your virtual seatbelt, and put your knowledge to the test.

I think there is a problem/it’s not working

We've done our best to make sure it works across a broad range of browsers and devices but if you are seeing some problems then try out the latest versions of Chrome, Safari or Internet Explorer.

The Eco Driving Tool isn't designed for the smaller screens on your mobile phone so stick with the tablets or your computer for the best experience. We make heavy use of some excellent technology called HTML5, if your browser doesn't support this to the level we need then you'll just be shown some efficiency driving tips to read. If you're getting this then try upgrading your browser or switch to another device.

Also, if you've turned cookies off in your browser, you won't be able to use The Eco Driving Tool - they need to be enabled to make it work. We talk about cookies in our Privacy Policy.

Where did I go wrong? I’m sure I got it all correct but I ran out of fuel

Even the most fuel-efficient driver is going to use fuel as they drive and this is accounted for in The Eco Driving Tool. But get everything correct and you'll complete your journey with some fuel left in the tank. Make some poor eco-driving decisions along the way and you'll use up more fuel on those legs of the journey. One poor eco-driving decision doesn't mean you'll run out of fuel before you reach the end, but making too many means you'll come up short.

Some decisions you make have a larger impact on your fuel use than others, especially those made before your journey starts. Get something wrong or only partially right and we'll let you know what we were looking for and why it matters. Get the answers right and we'll give you some well deserved praise and some extra information we're sure you'll find useful. Don't forget to check out the useful tips that come up between each question.

To see how you are going keep an eye on your fuel gauge (bottom right of the map) and the question button indicators at each stop. A grey button means you're not there yet, green means you got that one correct, orange shows you were almost right and we're pretty sure you’ll already know red means you got it wrong.

What does Z have to do with Sustainability?

At Z, sustainability means acting in a way that benefits the future of the neighbourhoods we operate in, the planet that carries us all, while at the same time sustaining the long term future of our company.

We believe we have a unique set of circumstances that provide us with an opportunity to make a difference towards a more sustainable future on a scale few companies within New Zealand have. We want to be in the middle of the solution and no longer in the middle of the problem.

Why does Z care about people driving efficiently? Don’t you want them to use more fuel?

We believe that if we don't commit to sustainability and do something about it, then in the long term Z will simply not be in business. Being a downstream-only fuel retailer, with no affiliation to upstream oil production, we are genuinely committed to helping our customers to use less fuel.

Who built this for you?

We decided that to raise the awareness of kiwi drivers about how to drive more efficiently, we wanted to provide an interactive tool. After searching far and wide, we’ve partnered with the crew from eDrive Solutions to come up with our Eco Driving Tool. eDrive are based right here in NZ and they’re experts at this sort of stuff (they also built the www.edrive.co.nz training programme and www.giveway.co.nz).

How was this filmed/made? Was this done safely?

The team at eDrive have a pretty impressive filming vehicle kitted out with all sorts of cameras and computing equipment which they employed to film the videos used here. They kept to the road rules throughout filming and ensured that the scenes were all filmed with safety in mind. Camera setup and post-production tricks allowed them to create the videos for the programme while staying safe and within the rules. This is the same setup used to make the full www.edrive.co.nz training programme and www.giveway.co.nz.

Where in NZ is this? Is it real?

Yes, it’s real alright… just like the benefits of driving efficiently! It was filmed on the road over to the Coromandel earlier this year. Your virtual journey goes from Z Pukete (in Hamilton) all the way to Z Whangamata, through some of the best parts of our country!

Who is the Z guy featured in The Eco Driving Tool?

It's Selwyn, and he's one of the local Retailers from the mighty Waikato . He’s the person that manages the Z stations in that area.

So, by doing this will I actually save fuel?

By doing everything correctly as we suggest in the Eco Driving Tool, you should save on fuel, but we can’t guarantee this. It’s always possible that you are a really fuel efficient driver already so you may not save fuel at all! You should also read the Terms and Conditions section at the bottom of this page.

Where can I find out more about driving efficiently?

A few simple things can make all the difference to driving more efficiently, and saving money on fuel. Best place to start is to check out EECA’s website for their tips for driving efficiently.

Who do I call for help with the Eco Driving Tool?

Who you gonna call? Don't call Ghostbusters, call us... you can contact us by phone (0800 474 355), Facebook or Twitter. Include as much information as you can about the problems you’re experiencing, your computer’s operating system version and screenshots if possible.

Eco Driving Tool - Terms and Conditions

We can’t guarantee that you will save fuel by following these tips. All information or advice included in the Eco Driving Tool and on this page is intended to be general in nature, and you should not rely on it in connection with any decision you make. Z Energy and the team at eDrive Solutions Limited (eDrive) have tried to ensure that all information provided is correct, but we do not guarantee its accuracy.

Z Energy and eDrive are not liable for any action you may take as a result of relying on such information or advice, or for any loss or damage suffered by you or any third party as a result of you or a third party taking this action. We will not be liable for any loss or damage (direct or otherwise) you or any third party suffer in connection with the use of the website or the use of, or reliance on, content contained on or accessed through the website. We also exclude any condition or warranty that could be implied into these terms (but only to the extent that this is allowed by law).

Z Energy and eDrive reserve their rights to change, delete, add to, or otherwise amend information contained in this Eco Driving Tool and this page without notice.

Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service whether by trade name, trademark, manufacture, or otherwise does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Z or by eDrive.

This site may also contain advice, opinions and statements of various third parties and links to external websites. Z and eDrive do not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any advice, opinion, statement or other information provided by any other information provider, any user of this site or any other person or entity. Reliance upon any such advice, opinion, statement, or other information shall be at the user's own risk.

The Eco Driving Tool should not be used as a substitute for hands-on driving experience.